School year in Germany

High School Germany

A full immersion in a German Gymnasium secondary school, with a host family, local support and intensive progress in German.

High School in Germany programme

The High School programme in Germany allows pupils to join a German state school and experience total immersion in the language, the culture and daily local life. Placements are offered in several attractive cities such as Augsburg, Berlin, Cologne, Koblenz, Montabaur, Nuremberg, Oldenburg and Potsdam.

Depending on the project, the pupil can express destination preferences and benefit from a placement suited to their profile. The aim is to follow the rhythm of a German secondary school pupil, to make rapid progress in the language and to develop independence, flexibility and open-mindedness.

Programme key facts

The key points of the High School programme in Germany before preparing your application.

Duration

From two months to a full school year, depending on the regional calendar and the pupil's project.

Age

The programme is aimed at young people aged 14 to 17 on the first day of school.

Level

A German level of B1 or above is required to follow the lessons and to fit in.

Accommodation

Selected host family, single room and full board during the stay.

School

Placement in a Gymnasium, a German secondary school that prepares in particular for higher education.

Building your project in Germany

The source highlights three pillars: integration into a Gymnasium, life with a host family and structured support before and during the stay.

German Gymnasium

The schools offered are Gymnasium, secondary schools recognised for their academic level and their preparation for university studies.

Student on the High School Germany programme

Host family

The families are selected, inspected and checked regularly by the local partner. They host the pupil on full board and help with day-to-day integration.

Choice and duration

The stay can be built with or without a choice of region. The duration ranges from 2 months to a full school year, with a departure aligned with the German calendar.

Why choose Germany?

Germany is a strong destination for pupils who want to make progress in German, discover a culture that is close but different and live a demanding academic experience. The programme makes it possible to join a German secondary school, to follow the lessons with local pupils and to develop real independence.

The advantages highlighted by the source are total language immersion, rapid progress, open-mindedness, the value of an international background and the possibility of choosing a flexible duration.

Possible destinations and cities

Placements may be offered in several German cities or regions, in particular Augsburg, Berlin, Cologne, Koblenz, Montabaur, Nuremberg, Oldenburg and Potsdam. A choice of region can be added depending on the option and availability.

The departure date depends on the region and the local school calendar. School holidays vary between Länder: the source mentions in particular Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate for the 2026/27 year.

Schools and host families

The schools offered are Gymnasium. Around 30 % of German pupils attend this type of school, intended for good pupils who then wish to go on to higher education.

The pupil lives with a selected German host family. The families may be couples with or without children, single parents or retired people. They are motivated by cultural exchange and supported by the local partner.

The pupil has a single room and full board: breakfast, a packed lunch and dinner.

Life on site

Family life is at the heart of the experience. The pupil shares daily life, meals, local habits and the family's activities. They are expected to respect the household rules and to take part in daily life like a German teenager.

This immersion encourages rapid adaptation and natural progress in German. The families are generally located close to public transport to make journeys to school easier.

German school organisation

The Gymnasium is the German secondary school that prepares pupils for higher education. Depending on age and German level, international pupils may be placed between year 9 and year 11.

The aim is to follow the lessons of a German state school alongside German pupils, accepting a different working method and school organisation.

Courses, calendar and practical costs

A good level of German is necessary to understand the lessons. Tuition fees are included in the programme, as is the search for the school and the family.

The source mentions local school costs to budget for, for example books, photocopies or specific equipment, as well as public transport tickets. Depending on the centre, transport may represent around 50 to 90 euros per month.

Indicative source prices 2025/26: 2 months, 3’000 euros without a choice of region or 4’300 euros with a choice of region; 3 months, 3’900 or 5’200 euros; 4 months, 4’800 or 6’100 euros; 5 months, 5’700 or 7’000 euros; 6 months, 6’600 or 8’000 euros; school year, 10’700 or 12’300 euros. Single room option: 100 euros per month.

Cultural landmark: Berlin and German history

The source devotes a cultural section to the image of the kiss between Erich Honecker and Leonid Brezhnev, which became an emblematic work of the East Side Gallery after the fall of the Berlin Wall. This landmark is a reminder that immersion in Germany is not limited to the language: it also opens onto recent European history, the memory of Berlin and contemporary German culture.

What is included

Personalised appointments and full support.
Advice and preparation before departure.
German level test.
Creation and management of the application.
Search and placement in a school and a host family.
Tuition fees.
Accommodation with a host family on full board.
Continuous follow-up during the stay.
Local coordinator on site.
End-of-programme certificate.

What is not included

Local school costs: uniforms, lockers, specific equipment, books or photocopies.
Public transport and school transport.
Single room option.
Pocket money, leisure, outings, telephone, sportswear or excursions.
Plane or train ticket.
Transfer from the airport to the host family.
Move and Study application fee of 500 euros indicated in the source.
Compulsory insurance indicated in the source: public liability, accident and health.

Participation requirements

Have a minimum German level of B1.
Be between 14 and 17 on the first day of school.
Be motivated, independent, flexible and open-minded.
Be ready to adapt to a new cultural, family and school environment.
Accept the rules of the host family and the school.

Procedure and support

Information: a personalised discussion to confirm the project, the duration and the German level.
Application: creation of the application and transmission to the local partner once the complete documents have been received.
Placement: search for the host family and the Gymnasium suited to the pupil's profile.
Preparation: information about the school, the family, the journey, the insurance and the student pack.
Departure: organisation of the journey according to the region and the school calendar.
Follow-up: local coordinator, regular reviews, on-site assistance and continuous support from Move and Study.

High School in Germany highlights

The source does not present any child pages to migrate in this round. These cards set out the main choices in the programme.

Gymnasium

An academic school setting, demanding and recognised for preparing for higher education.

Host family

Daily immersion on full board, with a selected and monitored family.

German cities

Several possible destinations, with or without a choice of region depending on the option chosen.

Local follow-up

A coordinator supports the pupil on site and provides regular follow-up reviews.

Support before and during the stay

Move and Study supports the family in choosing the programme, the application, preparing for departure and following up during the stay. On site, the local coordinator welcomes the pupil, helps with formalities and remains available if needed.

High School Germany project

Ready to prepare a school year in Germany?

An adviser can check the German level, the possible duration, the cities or regions to consider and the stages of the application.

Request a High School information pack